Ben Sira 45:17-26

17 He entrusted the commandments to Aaron's keeping and gave him the authority to make legal decisions and to teach Israel the Law.
18 Once, while the people were in the wilderness, an angry group of jealous outsiders conspired against Moses. These were Dathan, Abiram, and Korah with their supporters. 1
19 The Lord saw what they were doing and became angry, so furious that he performed a miracle and destroyed them in a blazing fire.
20 Then he rewarded Aaron again, giving him a special honor: the right to the offerings of the first produce, so that the priests should have enough to eat.
21 Their food is the sacrifices offered to the Lord; the Lord gave this to Aaron and his descendants.
22 But Aaron, unlike the rest of the people, was to inherit no land, no special portion of his own. The Lord himself would be all he needed. 2
23 Only Moses and Aaron were more famous for their intense devotion to the Lord than Phinehas son of Eleazar. He brought about forgiveness for Israel's sin by standing firm in brave determination when everyone else was in rebellion. 3
24 And so the Lord made a covenant with him, valid for all time to come, that he should be in charge of the sanctuary and of his people, that he and his descendants should hold the office of High Priest forever.
25 Unlike the covenant made with David son of Jesse, from the tribe of Judah, where the kingship passed only from father to son, the priesthood was to pass from Aaron to all his descendants.
26 Now praise the Lord, who is good, who has crowned you with glory! May he give you wisdom to judge his people fairly, so that their success and your authority may continue for all time to come.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 45.18, 19Numbers 16.1-35.
  • 2. 45.22Numbers 18.20;Deuteronomy 12.12.
  • 3. 45.23-26Numbers 25.7-13.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Hebrew] Now praise . . . glory; [Greek does not have these words.]
  • [b]. [Probable Hebrew text] and your authority; [Greek unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.